8 Inspiring Ways To Replace Starch With Cauliflower

Whether you eat grains and starches or not, it's always useful to have a healthy alternative, both for diversity in nutritional value and taste. Cauliflower is kind of the new kale. This unassuming brassica has long been a staple in the Paleo diet for its hearty structure and ability to mimic everything from rice to bread, potatoes and more. But lately we're also seeing it pop up more and more frequently as a feature on restaurant menus, in home kitchens and throughout the blog-osphere.

With a little help from a few great food blogs, we highlight some of the most inspiring ways we're seeing cauliflower being used.

In Place Of Rice

Rice is one of the most common cauliflower-as-grain iterations these days and, we think, one of the best. After a few pulses in the food processor, the cauliflower takes on the shape, size and texture of rice. We love this Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice With Smoky Red Pepper Sauce from Food52, and that they keep the cauliflower raw, lending the most nutritional benefits.

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To Make Rolls

Much like the pizza crust, the cauliflower softens the texture of the gluten-free flours in these 'Everything Bagel' Cauliflower Rolls. It's nice to know that you're also getting some veggies in your dinner roll.

In Place Of Pasta For 'Mac' + Cheese

We love Deb Perelman's recipe for Cauliflower Cheese — it's easy to make, and the boiled cauliflower mimics the mouthfeel of traditional mac + cheese noodles without being too weird. It's basically like a really tasty (and relatively healthy) gratin. Another great one to serve the kids.